Mishael Marini, left, and Jill Falzone, who hold managerial posts at the Mathews Food Lion, take a moment to relax after ringing up 25 gift cards for the Hands Across Mathews Fresh Start Back to School Shopping program. The shopping will occur the first two weeks of August and will coincide with No Tax Weekend. The 25 Mathews County schoolchildren have been identified by Mathews Social Services liaison Lauren Oden. Funding for this year’s initiative came from a grant from the Mathews Community Foundation, Central United Methodist Men, and anonymous donors. Dona-tions are accepted by the Fresh Start Program year-round as the amount gathered determines the value of the gift cards, according to the coordinator Shirley Ryan. The recipients are required to return the used gift cards and itemized receipts for their purchases. 
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